Corner-post fastener.



A. WOLF.

CORNER POST FASTENER. APPLICATION FILED 'IuLY 1915.

Patented Feb. 1, 1916.

A. WOLF.

CORNER POST FASTENER.

APPI .ICATION FILED IULY I, 1915.

Patented Feb. 1, 1916.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

AARON WOLF, 0F NEW,YORK, N; Y.

CORNER-POST FASTENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 1, 1916.

Application filed July 1, 1915. Serial No. 37,420.

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, AARON WOLF, a citi-' zen of the United States, and resident of New York, borough of Manhattan, in the county of New York and' State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Corner-Post Fasteners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in corner post fasteners and more particularly to that type in which the interlocking or co-acting members of the fasteners are formed of sheet metal cut and bent to the desired form as distinguished from making the parts of metal castings. In such constructions, one member of the fastener is usually rigidly secured to the corner postand is so designed and constructed that a cross-rail may be rigidly secured thereto and a side-rail, or a member secured to the side rail, may be detachably secured thereto. In my improved construction, the member carried by the post is formed-of a single piece of metal presenting the supporting surfaces for engagement with both the cross-rail and the side-rail. 7

The main object of my invention is to so design this member that the minimum number of operations is necessary for its construction, the minimum amount of metal is employed without reducing the desired strength and rigidity and the rails are so attached that bending of-the metal under in different planes so that bending about a line passing through any two points is effectively resisted.

My invention also involves certain fea tures of construction including a. special form of side-rail whereby thehead and foot of a bedsteadmay be directly, connectedtogether for exhibition or'shipping purposes.

Various different embodiments of my'invention may be readily designed and the details of construction may be changed in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims. 7

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated certain embodiments but it is of course evident that'I do not desire to be restricted to these specific forms.

In these drawings, in which similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts in the, several views, Figure 1 is a top plan view of one form -which my invention may assume, the corner post being shown in section; Fig. 2 is an end view, the side-rail being shownin section; Fig. 3 is an outside face view; Fig. 4 is an inside face view, the cross-rail being shown in section; Fig. 5 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 2, but showing the side-rail removed, a portion of the corner post member broken away, and a slightly modified form of attachment for the cross-rail; Fig. 6 is a side elevation showing the head'and foot portions of the bedstead connected togetherby v a short side rail for exhibition purposes; Fig. 7 is a top plan view of-a second form which my invention may, assume; Fig. 8 is a side elevation showing the outer side; Fig.- 9 is a side elevation showing the inner side and showing the cross-rail in section; Fig. 10 is anend view showing the side rail incross section; Fig. 11' is a side elevation showing two'abutting fastening members of the character shown in. Figs. 7 to 10 inelusive; Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the short side-rail; and Fig.1?) is av perspective view of the fastening f loop member employed in the form shown in, Figs. 7 to 10 inclusive.

In the specific form 1 to 4 inclusive, the member which is secured to and carried bythe corner post is formed of a single piece of sheet metal of,

illustrated Figs. 7

.hereinafter referred to.

projection or lug 12 at its upper edge and in its own plane, while intermediate of its ends it is provided with an offset portion 13 in the form of a vertically extending coinparatively Wide bead separated at its upper end from the body portion of the plate by a transversely extending opening or aperture in the plate. The portion 13 is set out to a distance approximately equal to twice the thickness of the metal so that the vertically extending groove on the opposite side of the bead will open at its upper end and permit a member to move downwardly parallel to the outer surface of the plate portion 10 and enter said aperture and groove. The plate portion 10 projects outwardly from the post toward the opposite end of the bedstead and at its end farthest from the post it carries the plate portion 11. The upper edge of this plate portion is substantially in the same horizontal plane with the upper edge of the plate portion 10 and it, also, has an upwardly extending projection 14 in its own plane and similar to the projection 12.

To secure the member to the corner post, I preferably form the plate portion 10 integral with a plate portion 15 constituting a base and adapted to lie against the post. This plate portion or base 15 is of a form corresponding to the shape of the post and may vary with'different kinds of posts. For instance, if the posts be square, rectangular, or of such other polygonal form as presents a fiat surface for the attachment of the corner fastener, then the plate portion or base 1 15 is preferably flat as shown in Figs. 1 to 41 inclusive. If the post be round, oval, or of other curved form, the plate portion or base 15 is preferably curved to follow the contour of the post. 7

For attaching the base to the post, various means may be employed, dependent upon the character of the material constituting the post and according to the cross sectional shape of the post. In Figs. 1 to a inclusive, I have shown a square wooden post and have shown the base 15 secured to one surface thereof by two wood screws 16, 16. A portion of the base is struck out to form a lug 17 lying in a vertical plane substantially at right angles to the plane of the base 15 and adapted to engage with the inner vertical surface of the post. Preferably it is countersunk or setinto a recess in the face of the post so that its outer surfacejwill be flush with the outer surface of the post as indicated in Fig. 1. If the post than the plate portion 10 and may aid in supporting a crossrail 20. As shown, the plate portion 19 has two lugs 21 and 22 at its free edge and in its own plane, and

spaced apart to receive the vertical flange of the cross-rail 20. vThe upper edge of the upper lug 21 may lie in the same plane as the upper edges of the plate portions 10 and 11, and the upper edge of the lug 22 may be so formed that it may be swaged or bent over to engage to aslight extent with the outer surface of the flange of the cross-rail toaid in holding the latter in position.

For supporting the horizontal flange of the cross-rail, the plate portion 10 has a lug 23 struck out and bent to lie in a horizontal plane. This lug may be formed from the metal directly above the offset portion 13 and its removal from the plane of the plate portion by bending inwardly may form the aperture at the upper end of the said offset portion. As shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, the cross-rail has its horizontal flange resting upon and riveted to the lug 23 and the plate portion 19 has a lug 24 extending through the vertical flange of the cross-rail and riveted or swaged over at its end. Both of the flanges of the cross-rail will thus be rigidly secured to the member carried by the corner post and as the lugs 23 and 24: are carried by separate plate portions, the cros rail will hold these plate portions rigid in respect to each other and will prevent the plate portion 10 from being bent laterally at the folding line between it and the base 15. This locking of the three plate portions 10, 15 and 19 rigid in respect to each other permits of the employment of thinner sheet metal than would be necessary if such or similar interlocking was not employed.

Either the side-rail of the bedstead, or a member attached to the side-rail, is so constructed that it has interlocking engagement with the member carried by the corner post at the two projections 12 and 1.4 and at the recess formed at the offset portion 13. these locking points is such that a side-rail in the form of an angle iron may be em- 'ployed and directly connected to the corner post member and the necessity of a separate member carried by the side rail is avoided. A side-rail member 26 which may be either the side-rail itself or a short member' connected to the side-rail is in the form The particular arrangement of of an angle iron with a horizontal flange 27 and a vertical flange 28. The horizontal flange may rest directly upon the upperv edges of the plate portions 10 and 11 and the shoulder above the lug 21, and may have slots to receive the two projections 12 and 14. The lower edge of the vertical flange- 28 may have two notches therein spaced apart to leave a projection 29 which may enter the aperture above theoffset portion 13 and move downwardly into the groove in the rear of said offset portion. As the projections 12 and 29 are in approximately the same vertical plane, any upward tilting of the side-rail is prevented and as the projections 12 and '14 are in different vertical planes, any lateral tilting is prevented. As the apertures of the side-rail receive the projections 12 and 14, they effectively prevent the plate portion 11 from being bent in respect to the plate portion 10.

The horizontal flange and .the vertical flange of the side rail may be of the same length if desired, although preferably the horizontal flange abuts against vertical edges of the plate portions 10 and 19 while the vertical flange extends to the surface of the post as shown particularly in Fig. 1. The side rail may .have friction tight engagement with the corner post and corner post member at these points if desired, al-.

Instead of having the horizontal lug 24 inthe plane of the plate portion 19, I may provide a vertical lug 24 bent out at right angles and riveted or bolted to the horizontal flange. of Fig. 1 or 23 of Fig. 5 bent out to lie in a horizontal plane, I may cut it so that when bent it will lie in a vertical plane atright angles to the plane of the plate portion .10 so positioned as to permit of it being riveted or bolted to the vertical flange of the cross rail. I

A further modified form isshown in Figs. 7 to 10 inclusive. This construction is de signed for attachment to a tubular metal post and to be secured by a wedge rather than by belts or screws although the latter may be employed if desired. In this form the corner post member includes a base portion 30, an outwardly extending plate por- Instead of having the lug 23 tion 31 and a transversely extending plate portion 32 integral with, and carried by, the plate portion 31. These two plate portions 31 and 32 correspond to the plate portions 10and 11 above described and have a simi lar-offset portion 13 and upwardly extending lugs 12 and 14. It may also have a short top plate portion 33 adaptedto lie in the plane of the horizontal flange ofthe side rail and a short vertical plate: portion 34 parallel to the plate portion 31. parts 33 and 34 are not essential but are desirable, in that they add to the strength of the construction. "The base 30 may be riveted or bolted to the post andmay be curved or flat, corresponding to the shape of the post. Where the post is cylindrical, parts of the plate may be cut away at the corners 35 to facilitate bending. In the specific form illustrated, I connect the base 30 to the post by a substantially U-shapedmember 36 and a wedge 37. The member 36 has a loop portion'38 adapted to extend through registering apertures in the post and in the base and receives the wedge within the post while at the ends of the loop are upwardly and downwardly extending flanges 39 for engagement with the outer surface-of the base to bind the latter tight to the post when the wedge is driven into position. For attaching the cross rail 20,

- I may utilize the transversely extending plate portion 32 although in many respects this is not as desirable a construction as that shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive. I have shown the vertical flange of-the cross rail secured to the plate portion 32 by rivets 40, and havenot shown any means for independently supporting the horizontal flange. The connecting of the crossrail to the plate portions 32 of the two posts will effectively prevent said plate portion from bending in respect "to the plate portions 31.

As an important feature of my invention, I provide means for holding the head and foot of the bed together for exhibition or shipping purposes and prevent any relative movement of the corner post member when so connected. For this purpose I provide a short section similar to a portion of the side rail and provide the corner post members with interengaging parts. In Figs. 1 to4 inclusive, I have shown the plate portion 11 of the corner post member provided with an outwardly extending lug 43. In forming this lug, a corresponding aperture is left 1n the metal adjacent to the lug. The corner post members designed for attachment to the head and foot o'f-the bed have these lugs 43 so positioned that when the plate portions '11 of the head and foot are brought together,*the lug 43 of each plate portion will enter the aperture of the other plate portion and prevent any relative vertical or lateral movement of the corner posts. A short side rail Me is then placed in position, the said side rail being in the form of an angle iron with aperture in its horizontal flange to receive the lugs 12 and 14 and depending lugs to enter the apertures at the off-set portions 13. Such a short cross rail is shown in Fig. 6 and a portion is broken away to show the lugs 48 passing each other and entering the adjacent apertures. In this construction, the plate portions 11 may directly abut so that one aperture in the short side rail may receive the lugs 114.

Instead of having the lugs 43 formed as shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, I may provide any other suitable means which will prevent the vertical or lateral sliding of the parts when connected for shipping or exhibition purposes. In Figs. 7 to 10, inclusive, I have shown the plate 32 provided with an aperture A5 between the two rivets 40. A short stud 16 may be placed in the aperture 45 of one plate 32 and enter the aperture of the opposite plate 32 when the parts are brought together as shown in Fig. 11. The heads of the rivets A0 may be countersunk in the plates 32 but if they extend out so as to space the plates 82 apart as shown in the drawings, a short side rail 44 may be employed which is similar to that shown in Fig. 6, except that spaced apertures are provided for the lugs 14.

I am aware that various different constructions of corner post members have been designed seeking in a general way to accomplish the results which I seek in my improved construction, but all of these with which I am familiar are open to the objection that either a considerable number of pieces must be cut and fitted together to make the member, or that a large number of operations are necessary in cutting and bending the member, or the elimination of parts and operations in an effort to simplify has resulted in a structurally weak device. In my improved construction, I seek to avoid all of these objections.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A corner post fastening including a member formed of a single piece of sheet metal, said member having a base portion adapted for attachment to a corner post, and two separate plate portions in vertical planes at right-angles to each other and each provided with an upwardly extending projection in its own plane and adapted to enter a corresponding aperture in a side rail member.

2. A corner post fastening including .a member formed of a single piece of sheet metal and having a base adapted for attachment to the corner post, a pla e portion ea.

tending outwardly from one edge of said base in a vertical plane and a second plate portion substantially parallel to said base and carried by said first mentioned plate portion at its outer end, said plate portions having separate lugs for attachment to a side rail.

3. A corner post fastening member having means for attaching it to a corner post, means for attaching it to a cross rail and said fastening member having means adapted to directly engage with a corresponding corner post member to prevent lateral or vertical sliding when in registering engagement.

4. A corner post fastening member having means for attaching it to a corner post, means for attaching it to a cross rail and means adapted to engage with a corresponding corner post member to prevent lateral or vertical sliding when in registering engagement, and a joining member, said fastening member having integral means for engagement with said joining member to prevent separation of said fastening members when said joining member is in position.

5. In combination, two corner post fastening members each having means for interlocking engagement with a side rail, one of said members having a projection and the other having an aperture, said projection being adapted to enter said aperture and a short side rail for connecting said members together.

6. In combination two corner post fastening members, one having a projection and the other having an aperture adapted to receive said projection to prevent lateral or vertical movement when said members are in engagement with each other and a short side rail member adapted to'engage with both of said members and prevent their separation.

7. A corner post fastening including a member formed of a single piece of sheet metal, said member including two substan tially parallel, vertically disposed plate portions, one of said plate portions having a central portion cut and bent toward the other plate portion to form a substantially horizontal lug and to leave an aperture and the other of said plate portions having a lug lying in substantially a vertical plane, a side-rail member secured to said first mentioned member, said side rail member and a portion of the wall of said aperture being relatively offset to permit interengagement of the parts, and a cross rail in the form of an angle iron having horizontal and vertically disposed flanges secured to said hori zontal and vertically disposed lugs.

8. A corner post fastening including a member formed of a single piece of sheet metal, said member inc uding t o s bs ntially parallel, vertically disposed plate portions, one of said plate portions having a 10 horizontal and vertically disposed flanges secured to said horizontal andvertically disposed lugs.

Signed at New York city in the county of New York and State of New York this 24th day of June, A. D. 1915.

AARON WOLF.

Witnesses C. W. FAIRBANK, FLORENCE LEVIEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. G. 

